Bayou Bengal Briefing: LSU football is back and it’s time to celebrate

Welcome to the Bayou Bengal Briefing, SEC Country’s daily morning column covering LSU football with beat writer Nick Suss. Today we geek out because football is back, clean up some recruiting news, gawk at a sweet ‘stache and more. Enjoy!

Thank goodness, football is back

Our darkest days are behind us. After a seven-month offseason, the LSU football team returns to the practice field for fall camp Monday afternoon. And even though we won’t get to see it, it’s still good knowing it is happening.

LSU football coach Ed Orgeron kicked off the festivities Sunday night with a quick press conference in which he outlined some of the biggest talking points heading into the season. There was quarterback news, of course, as Orgeron expressed excitement about seeing Myles Brennan and Danny Etling in action. And there was Arden Key news, as Orgeron once again confirmed that Key will miss the first week of camp rehabbing his offseason shoulder surgery.

(Aside: I spoke to Key briefly as he moved into his apartment Sunday. He wasn’t wearing a brace and looks fine, and he told me he’s up to 267 pounds, about 30 pounds heavier than he was last season. Also, his dogs are adorable.)

Most comfortingly, though, Orgeron talked about actual football news. He explained that he’s worried about depth at offensive tackle and that he wants Drake Davis to step up as a true No. 2 receiver. He raved about true freshman cornerbacks Jontre Kirklin and Kary Vincent Jr., and he volunteered the news that Donte Jackson might follow in Tre’Davious White’s footsteps and work as a nickel and sideline corner.

It’s reassuring to see this much news crop up. And it’s only going to keep going. Coach O will speak again tonight. All hail the return of football.

Your weekly LSU football poll question

Let’s stay on theme. Fall camp is here and we’re all stoked. But what trend are you most interested in learning about this fall? Let me know in the poll below and we’ll discuss your votes in the Bayou Bengal Briefing on Tuesday.

West Virginia, take me home

Orgeron made one announcement Sunday that LSU football fans won’t enjoy. He revealed that freshman offensive lineman Seth Stewart will not be joining the team for this season or at any point in the foreseeable future.

A 3-star prospect from Point Pleasant, W.Va., Stewart has elected not to enroll at LSU. Orgeron said that as far as he knows, Stewart has decided to not play football, but he couldn’t guarantee that. As a result, LSU is left a little thin on the offensive line.

Fellow freshmen Austin Deculus and Edward Ingram will be forced to step up, as will reserve linemen Donavaughn Campbell and Adrian Magee. Magee’s status is up in the air, as he still has to face trial for a burglary charge levied against him in the offseason. Magee was suspended, but has since rejoined the team.

What a glorious piece of facial hair

In addition to being Orgeron’s introductory press conference day, Sunday also was move-in day for most of the LSU football team. And while guys such as Derrius Guice and Myles Brennan gained a lot of attention by rolling up in big, loud cars, offensive linemen Will Clapp and K.J. Malone stole the show.

Clapp showed up with a mohawk, one that he taunted quarterback Danny Etling for not emulating. And Malone showed up with a heavy-duty mustache. (See the video above.) As a beard-wearing American myself, I appreciate any use of facial hair to make a statement. Especially when someone is gutsy enough to try out a mustache and it works.

For a full look at all the sights of move-in day, check out this gallery of photos put together by SEC Country’s own Sam Spiegelman. Yes, Arden Key’s puppies make more appearances. We know where our bread is buttered, internet.

In LSU recruiting news

Speaking of Sam, last weekend was a busy one in LSU football recruiting. Sam has you covered, so let’s take a look at some of the big stories he posted while the Bayou Bengal Briefing was taking the weekend off.

Diss track Shaq

I’m not going to pretend to know much about hip hop. And regular readers of this column know that my outlook on basketball is cynical at best. But LSU legend and notable former genie Shaquille O’Neal put out a diss track against overbearing father and walking hot-take machine Lavar Ball.

I haven’t listened to it. But if ever there’s been something that belonged in the Bayou Bengal Briefing, it’s this.

If you think that I should release a diss track, let me know in the comments section and tell me who I should be dissing. If not, continue on to learn about made-up holidays.

Today in Made-up Holidays

Here we are. Since today is the last day of July, it’s the last time to celebrate July holidays. So let’s run through a list of them.

It’s the last day of National Anti-Boredom Month. So whatever you do, make sure you stay occupied today. You can be bored in August. July is for the opposite.

Today marks the end of National Cell Phone Courtesy Month. As someone who spent most of 2016 riding public transportation, I take this one very seriously. Don’t use speaker phone if you’re in public. Please.

A big month for food is ending, as National Hot Dog Month, Ice Cream Month and Grilling Month all end today.